Galvanic battery



(No Model.)

J. L. GBTHINS. GALVANIG BATTERY.

No. 393,639. `Patented Nov. 27, 1888.

Ilm/ENTER' i UNITED STATES y PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. GETHINS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GALVANIC BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,639x dated November 27, 1888.

Application filed February 7, 1857. Serial No. 226,767. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES L. GE'rHrNs, of Boston, Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Galvanic Batteries, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to galvanic batteries of the gravity77 type; and it has for its 0bject the construction of such a battery that will be constant in its action and whose operation will not be interrupted or weakened by the aceum ul ation of crystals of sulphate of zinc, which, as is well known in ordinary batteries of this kind, creep over and cover the whole plant of batteries, requiring constant attention and causing considerable annoyance.

The annexed drawing represents in vertical section a battery embodying my invention.

A jar, A, of glass, ebonite, or glazed earthcnware, or any other suitable insulating material, forms the receptacleof my battery, as is usual. The porous cut B is formed with a depressed or concave bottom, C, and with a flange, D, of such size as to reach over the edge of the jar A and constitute a cover for the same. At one point, E, this flange is perforated for the admission of an insulated copper wire, F, which leads down into the jar and is in electrical connection with a copper plate or electrode, G. The porous cup B reaches down into the jar to about one-halt` of its depth, more or less. The concavity formed by its 4bottom is filled with mercury, as is indicated at II, and a zinc electrode, I, placed in the porous cup, rests at the bottom of the same, partially immersed in the mer eury, whereby this electrode is constantly kept properly amalgamated. The flange D of the porous cup and the upper portion of the latter are glazed, and a heavy coat of asphaltum paint is applied to this part of the cup and to the ange, as indicated by heavy shading in the drawing. The upper portion ofjar A, for about the length of an inch, is also covered with asphaltum paint, as indicated at K. This paint adheres well to the materials employed in the construction of the jar and porous cup. It is not liable to peal ofi", as is the case with parafiine and other like materials, which are sometimes employed in batteries.

There is a cover, L, of wood or other nonmetallic material, which fits the porous cup and has a central perforation, M, which permits the stem of the electrode I to pass through and project a short distance above it. This cover is also preferably painted with asphaltum paint, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The battery is charged with crystals of sulphate of copper covering the copper electrode and with water both in the jar and in the porous cup, which water may be slightly acidulated by the addition of a small quantity ofsulphurie acid. When the circuit of this battery is closed there will be two layers of liquids-solutions of sulphate of copper and sulphate of zincformed, as is well understood by those skilled in the art. The lighter liquid-the solution of sulphate of zincwill be on top, and after saturation crystals of sulphate of zine are formed, which in ordinary batteries rise and creep over the edges of the jar and porous cup. In my battery this is effectually prevented by the asphaltum paint on the upper part of both the jar and the porous cup, to which paint this solution of sulphate of zinc does not adhere, and which therefore it cannot pass by capillary action. rIhe solution of sulphate of zine in the space between the jar and the porous cup also gives rise to the formation of crystals within that space, which space is closed by the iiange D, whereby an additional guard against the creeping over of the crystals is formed.

` I have found this battery constant in action and very convenient in use. It is always clean on the outside and requires very little attention.

Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a galvano-electricbattery, the combination of a jar of glass or equivalent material coated with asphaltum paint about its edge with a .porous cup provided with a glazed .flange forming a cover to the jar, said flange being perforated at one point for the admission of a conductor and having a coat of asphaltuin paint, and a cover of non-metallic material for the porous cup perforated for theV admission of an electrode, substantially as described.

2. In a galvanie battery, the combination of a jar of insulating material coated with asphaltum paint about its upper edge with a porous cup having a glazed flange forming a ICO cover to the jar and coated with asphaltum I eepbion of the other electrode, said cup being paint. substantially as described. provided with a perforated Iiange forming a 8. Ina galvanie battery, the combination of cover to the jar, with a eover for the porous a porous cup having a eoneavely-eurved bobeup perforated for the admission of the upper 5 tom, with mercury in said eoneavity, and a end of the electrode in the cup, substantially 15 zine electrode dipping into the mercury, subas described.

stantially as described. JAS. L. GETHINS.

4. In a gaivanie battery, the combination of fitnessesz a jar of insulating material for the reception WM. S. ROGERS,

lo of one electrode and a porous eup for the re- .VALDRON BATES. 

